Cotton scores 28 points to lead Providence over DePaul 77-72

Providence guard Bryce Cotton, right, and DePaul guard Durrell McDonald battle for a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Rosemont, Ill., on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
(The Associated Press)

DePaul forward DeJuan Marrero, front, drives against Providence forward Tyler Harris during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Rosemont, Ill., on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
(The Associated Press)

Providence guard Josh Fortune, left, and DePaul guard Durrell McDonald battle for a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Rosemont, Ill., on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
(The Associated Press)

Bryce Cotton scored 28 points to lead Providence to a 77-72 win over DePaul on Saturday afternoon.

R.J. Curington led DePaul with a career-high 22 points.

LaDontae Henton added 19 points and Tyler Harris had 18 for Providence, which led by as many as 16 points in the first half before DePaul tied it with 7 minutes left in the second half.

Providence has won six of its last seven games.

The Blue Demons have lost four straight and seven of their last nine.

DePaul was once again without three key players. Leading scorer Cleveland Melvin missed his second straight game due to a suspension. Melvin was seventh in the Big East in scoring at 16.7 points per game entering Saturday. Point guard Billy Garrett Jr. (illness) and guard Charles McKinney (sprained ankle) also were out for the second straight game.